Has anyone made any Scottish or Northumbrian smallpipes?

Google "Northumbrian Small Pipe Makers" and "Scottish...".

Lots of links there.

Yup, Google is always my first port of call but I only found one course offering so I wondered if there was anyone here with any practical experience or more info.

Unfortunately the uk.music.folk newsgroup seems pretty much defunct, otherwise you could have tried there. It's possible that someone on Mudcat (mudcat.org) may have some ideas.

Otherwise, you could try asking some players via their contact pages. When I met Kathryn Tickell, many years ago, she was charming and gracious and I'm sure she'd be able to point you at one or more Northumbrian smallpipe makers - .

Alistair Anderson could probably point you at both Smallpipe and Concertina makers - .

Nick Odell may be along shortly with some ideas...

I presume you found Mike Nelson's pages, with plans etc - ?

Thanks Mark, I've met them both (Folkworks and elsewhere) but hadn't thought of asking them - I'm reluctant to add to the barrage of info requests that they must receive.

There are several makers on t'web but last night I found this:

Many of us still look in on the group - it's worth a try.

Snap! :-)

Kathryn Tickell

(goes slightly faint)

Mind you, I'd like the Wrigley Sisters to play at my wake.

She was particularly gracious in that my question was not about her music but a Neville Brothers track she'd introduced on the radio some weeks before...

I'm sure they'd both be happy to encourage a potential maker.